D3 coach here. That's a legitimate comment, though perhaps phrased in a way that sounds shadier than it is. While D3 schools can't offer athletic scholarships, coaches often have influence with admissions and can advocate for merit scholarships for desirable recruits. Some schools also have "leadership" scholarships or other merit-based awards that aren't technically athletic but may favor students with demonstrated excellence in various areas including athletics. This isn't guarantee of specific amounts though - more of an indication that the coach will advocate for your son in the financial aid process. Ask for clarity about what specific scholarship opportunities their recruited athletes typically receive.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I think our plan now is to: 1) Submit FAFSA as early as possible after Oct 1 2) Use the Net Price Calculators for each school on his list 3) Prepare for CSS Profile for the private schools 4) Talk to his coach about potential merit aid opportunities 5) Have honest conversations about what we can realistically afford I feel much less overwhelmed now! One last question - for his dream school that might be a financial stretch, should we apply Early Decision or would that put us at a disadvantage for negotiating financial aid later?

Have you tried completing the parent contributor section all in one sitting without saving and coming back? That worked for my husband who's also military (in Japan). Something about the way it saves progress internationally was causing problems for us.

after u get this fixed (hopefuly soon!!!) make sure u document EVERYTHING for next year...the whole process and who u talked to and what fixed it. my cousin works in financial aid and says the system problems aren't gonna be totally fixed for at least another full cycle. military families overseas are having tons of issues with the new system. good luck!!

The CSS Profile generally doesn't receive automatic corrections like FAFSA does because it's not directly connected to federal databases. However, your schools will typically use the FAFSA SAI as the official figure. If there's a significant difference between your CSS and FAFSA calculations, contact your financial aid office to clarify which they prioritize.

Update: Just got off the phone with my university's financial aid office. They confirmed they'll use my updated (lower) SAI for calculating my aid package! They also recommended I forward the same information to the scholarship committees. The counselor mentioned this type of adjustment happens quite often, especially with first-time FAFSA filers. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

After trying that Claimyr service I mentioned, I actually got through and have an update to share - they were able to put my account in admin forbearance while they investigate why my recertification wasn't processed. The rep confirmed they should have disclosed the new interest rate and recommended I submit a complaint through the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) about that specific issue. Apparently that gets fast attention from the loan servicers.

One additional thing to be aware of - even if you get an administrative forbearance, interest may still accrue during this period unless you specifically get an interest-free forbearance (which is rare). Make sure you ask about this specifically when you speak with your servicer so you understand the full financial impact.

Since you mentioned being a first-generation college student, I'd recommend reaching out to your school's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) or TRIO office if they have one. These programs specifically help first-gen students navigate processes like FAFSA and often provide additional grants. Also, don't forget that the FAFSA is just step one of the financial aid process. After your FAFSA is processed, you'll receive: 1. Student Aid Report (SAR) with your Student Aid Index (SAI) - this replaces the old Expected Family Contribution (EFC) 2. Financial aid offers from each school you listed (these vary widely!) 3. Potential requests for verification (happens to about 30% of applicants) Then you'll need to formally accept/decline each aid component and complete entrance counseling if taking loans. The whole process can take 3-4 months from FAFSA submission to final aid package, so starting early is crucial.

dont forget to also fill out the CSS profile if ur applying to private schools!! its different from fafsa and has a fee but lots of private colleges require it for their own scholarships. my sister almost missed out on $15k/yr bc she didnt know about it!!